Reasons Your Chainsaw Cuts Crooked and How to Fix it
- ● Uneven Sharpness. One major reason a chainsaw curves to either the right or left during a cut is that it was unevenly...
- ● Unequal Top Plate. The majority of the time, when a chainsaw cuts crooked, people tend to think the problem is from...
- ● Bent Bar. The chainsaw bar can cause the chainsaw not to cut woods...
How to fix a chainsaw that is cutting Crooked?
The most common reasons your chainsaw won’t cut straight are:
- Uneven sharpness
- Unequal top plate
- Bent bar
- Uneven cutting teeth
- Improper chain tension
What causes chain saw to not cut straight?
Why Do Chainsaws Cut on a Curve?
- Chain Size Matters. When you notice your chainsaw pulling to one side as you cut, or your chainsaw is cutting crooked, it's likely there's an issue with the chain, advises ...
- Damaged Saw Teeth. ...
- Incorrect Depth Gauge. ...
- Other Chainsaw Problems. ...
What could cause a chainsaw chain to stop moving?
Why Does My Chainsaw Chain Keep Turning?
- Carburetor Idle Adjustment. The most probable – and easiest to fix – cause of chain rotation while the chainsaw engine idles is a poorly adjusted idle setting on the carburetor.
- Rich Fuel Mixture. ...
- Clutch Malfunction. ...
- Clutch Maintenance. ...
What causes kickback on a chainsaw?
What Causes Chainsaw Kickback?
- The chain hits a hard object in the kickback zone.
- The wood pinches the chain in the middle of a cut.
- Other factors that contribute to chainsaw kickback.
How do I stop my chainsaw from cutting crooked?
2:007:22CHAINSAW HACK! fixing a saw that cuts crooked! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTry to get all the angles the same way when I file it take these longer teeth and try to get themMoreTry to get all the angles the same way when I file it take these longer teeth and try to get them about the same size as the shorter teeth.
Why does my chainsaw not cut in a straight line?
0:141:57Why Is My Chainsaw Not Cutting Straight, or Not Cutting At All?YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf the chain you're using isn't rated for the model of your chainsaw. The driver is likely won'tMoreIf the chain you're using isn't rated for the model of your chainsaw. The driver is likely won't match the grooves in your Guide bar. And you can end up with crooked cuts.
What causes chainsaw to cut on an angle?
Uneven top plates can cause a chain to cut crooked. It's important to keep all top plates equal length. Dull cutters damaged by rocks can cause a chain to cut crooked. It's important to remove all damage from cutters prior to cutting.
Why does my chainsaw keep going blunt?
If you're cutting through logs and your angle of approach is too steep, a simple cut through could nick dirt or even worse, rocks on the floor causing your chainsaw to jerk, thus dulling.
How do you keep a chainsaw straight?
1:423:52How to make a straight cut with a chainsaw; log cabin building tutorial ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe most common approach would be to take the chainsaw. Stand on one side of the log. And cut allMoreThe most common approach would be to take the chainsaw. Stand on one side of the log. And cut all the way through in one pass. As you would a piece of firewood. The problem with that is you commit.
Should I flip my chainsaw bar?
Every chainsaw bar has been designed to be mounted right-side up or upside down. The reason for this is that it allows the user to extend the life of his chainsaw bar by 50%. Flipping the bar will give the heavily-used areas some relief from wear and tear.
How do I know if my chainsaw bar is bent?
1:506:29When A Chainsaw Bar Needs To Be Replaced! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can see it's badly damaged. And you can tell here that the guy was using this saw this way forMoreYou can see it's badly damaged. And you can tell here that the guy was using this saw this way for quite a. While.
How tight should a chainsaw blade be?
A properly-tensioned chainsaw chain should still be just a little loose on the chainsaw guide bar, but the chain needs to be tight enough that you can't pull the drive links out of the bar nose.
Should you run a chainsaw at full throttle?
Engine Protection Generally, two-stroke chainsaw engines are built to conveniently run at full throttle without an engine breakdown. Therefore, running at any throttle speed below the full throttle is not advised.
How often should you flip the bar on your chainsaw?
Some professional loggers would advocate that you should flip your chainsaw bar at the end of every use, particularly when you are cleaning up. Others suggest a more relaxed approach advising that you flip the chainsaw bar only when you are changing your chainsaw blade.
How do you know if your chainsaw is blunt?
When looking at the chain itself if you can see a line of light on the cutting edge, the chain is blunt (see below). The teeth on a chain are chrome plated; the thin hard chrome edge of the chain does all the work.
Does wet wood dull a chainsaw?
Using your chainsaw to cut through wet wood will not dull the chain any faster than using it for other types of wood. When you think about it, your chainsaw chain is already wet. True, it is not wet with water. But it is wet with a lubricating mineral oil.
How do I know if my chainsaw bar is bent?
1:506:29When A Chainsaw Bar Needs To Be Replaced! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can see it's badly damaged. And you can tell here that the guy was using this saw this way forMoreYou can see it's badly damaged. And you can tell here that the guy was using this saw this way for quite a. While.
How tight should a chainsaw blade be?
A properly-tensioned chainsaw chain should still be just a little loose on the chainsaw guide bar, but the chain needs to be tight enough that you can't pull the drive links out of the bar nose.
How do you fix a pinched chainsaw bar?
To open pinched rails, mount the bar in a vice and gently tap on the bent rail with a hammer and punch. A flat-blade screwdriver is another tool that can be useful for prying open bent bar rails. Once you've got the pinch worked out, test your repair by placing the chain back in the groove.
How do you tension a chainsaw blade?
0:111:33Chapter 5: Adjusting Your Chainsaw's Chain Tension - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe adjustment screw clockwise until the chain is seated against the bottom rail of the bar.MoreThe adjustment screw clockwise until the chain is seated against the bottom rail of the bar. Continuing to hold the tip of the bar up tighten the bar nuts and rotate the chain by. Hand.
Why won't my chainsaw cut straight?
Uneven cutting teeth is one of those reasons that can cause a chainsaw not to cut straight. Problems associated with the teeth are always a result of tear and wear. Due to continuous usage, the teeth will eventually become dull and blunt, thus dragging through woods. The dragging leads to uneven teeth, which causes the chainsaw to bend ...
How to eliminate chainsaw cutting problems?
By and large, most cutting problems of a chainsaw can be eliminated by ensuring timely maintenance of its components such as the chain and the bar. The bar needs to be lubricated regularly and the chain should be sharpened when needed.
How to sharpen chainsaw teeth?
Sharpen the teeth using a sharping guide or employ the services of a professional. Particles such as rocks and pebbles can lead to dull teeth. To maintain the sharpness of your chainsaw teeth, dispose of all hard objects such as nails, rocks from your work environment.
How to avoid uneven chainsaw sharpness?
One other alternative to avoid an uneven sharpness of the chain is to use a recommended chainsaw sharpener. In simple terms, consider ditching the manual sharpening of your chainsaw. Using a grinder allows you to preset the angle, depth, and length thus making the duplication of each side easier.
What happens if a chainsaw is too loose?
A chain that is too loose can lead to a crooked cutting of woods. Not only will it cause the chainsaw not to cut woods straight, but it can also pull off and cause injuries.
Why does my chainsaw curve?
One major reason a chainsaw curves to either the right or left during a cut is that it was unevenly sharpened. The unequal teeth of the chain cause it to take a different-sized bite into the wood. The uneven sharpness of the chain is mainly due to manual sharpening, especially with the use of a file.
What happens if you cut wood with a worn out tooth?
Worn-out teeth become uneven and this leads to crooked cutting of woods. The simplest solution is to make sure the teeth are of equal size. Anything contrary to this will lead to the cut leaning to the side of the teeth with the biggest bites.
A chain that has been improperly sharpened
What does a chain that has been incorrectly sharpened look like? Before we can examine this, I need to go into chainsaw chains in further detail. Chainsaw chains are made up of various components that each serve a distinct purpose in the cutting of wood.
FAQS
The state of your chain has a significant influence on your chainsaw’s performance and safety. What is the lifespan of a chainsaw chain? With regular use, a chainsaw chain can last up to 5 years. A chain might persist for decades for casual users.
Conclusion: Why Does My Chainsaw Cut Crooked?
In this post, we discussed why does my chainsaw cut crooked? And listed the most common causes, such as a chain that has been wrongly sharpening or a chain that has been broken. Both of these problems may readily resolve by either sharpening or replacing your chain.
Improperly Sharpened Chain
What does an improperly sharpened chain look like? Before we can discuss this I need to go more in-depth about chainsaw chains. Chainsaw chains are composed of different components that have very specific functions in the cutting of wood.
Damaged Chain
Incorrect sharpening is not the only reason a chainsaw may cut crooked. Another reason could be the chain may have come into contact with something other than wood. A typical scenario is when someone is cutting a tree and hit a random nail that someone for some reason nailed into the tree.
Use a Local Shop
Sharpening chainsaw chains is definitely a skill. If you are not confident in your sharpening ability do not be afraid to take your chain or chains to your local chainsaw shop. Shops usually use sharpening machines, instead of hand files, that are pre-set to the proper angle to make sure your chain comes out almost perfect.
Safety First
Improperly sharpened chains and damaged chains may not only be frustrating but can also be dangerous and unpredictable. If you notice your chain is not cutting properly it is a good idea to stop using it immediately and correct the issue as we have covered above.
Wrapping up
Chainsaws are a marvelous invention that can really lighten our wood cutting tasks. However, when chainsaws do not operate as intended our work progress is halted. In most common cases the problem can be corrected quickly and easily if you know what to do.
Why does my chain saw wear off?
It is inevitable because the metal to metal friction can easily cause the chainsaw bar to wear off eventually. Now, it mostly depends upon your dominant hand or the direction a tree is leaning towards; although there can be other issues that can cause the same problem, your dominant hand and the leaned tree are usually the more prominent ones.
Why is my chainsaw pulling in one direction?
It does not matter if your chainsaw is new or old; anyone come to face this problem. It can usually happen when your chainsaw hits a rock or a patch of hard dirt.
How to fix uneven chainsaw bar?
How to Fix it. Fixing an uneven chainsaw bar is as easy as a piece of cake. All that you will have to do is to fill in the edges until they are all smooth and level. You can either scrape the edges of your bar or fill them in; I would personally suggest you fill in the edges as they are a cheaper long-run solution.
What happens when a chainsaw hits a rock?
When your chainsaw hits or grinds into a rock, it can take a big toll on your chain; also, when something like this happens, it will only affect one side of your chainsaw, which in result, can cause an uneven or dull chain on one side.
Can chainsaws get crooked?
Like any other tool that can become problematic over time, chainsaws too can start cutting crooked. But there’s nothing to worry about! There are a lot of things that can cause your chainsaw to become crooked. But some of the factors contribute more to the damage than the others.
Can a chainsaw cut through wood?
When working perfectly fine, a chainsaw can effortlessly cut through wood. However, if your chainsaw is having trouble cutting straight or if it cuts to the side, there is a high possibility that you are dealing with a crooked chainsaw. It’s natural to face some issues when you use a tool on an almost regular basis.
Why does my chainsaw pull to one side?
Chainsaws often start pulling to one side, curving in that direction even when you try to maintain a straight line. This is a sign your chainsaw needs maintenance -- usually routine blade maintenance, although it could be the sign of a bigger problem.
How to measure chainsaw depth?
Check the setting for your chainsaw, and then use a depth gauge tool -- often combined with a file guide tool -- to measure the depth gauges. Place the tool flat on top of the chain, allowing a depth gauge to slide upward through the tool's slot. It should be level with the top of the slot.
Can a chainsaw cut straight?
Sharp Smart. When the saw teeth become chipped, damaged or dull, the chainsaw likely won't cut straight, especially if more teeth are affected along one side of the chain. Sharpen the teeth uniformly using a file and file guide, or take it to professional for sharpening.
Why Your Chainsaw Is Not Cutting Straight - Your Chain Is Dull Or Damaged
There's generally two parts of your chainsaw that will cause a crooked cut, the chain or the bar.
Make Sure Your Chain Is Sharpened Evenly If Your Chainsaw Is Not Cutting Straight
When sharpening your chain it's important to keep each side of the teeth as even as possible.
Chainsaw Is Not Cutting Straight Due To A Damaged Bar
Another reason why your chainsaw is not cutting straight could be due to a damaged or worn bar.
Chainsaw Is Smoking While You Cut
The most common cause of smoke coming from your bar or chain while you cut is a dull chain or a lack of bar and chain oil.
Chainsaw Is Not Cutting Straight - Overall
If your chainsaw is not cutting straight, chances are your chain is dull on one side.